SAN JOSE — The St. Louis Billikens came into the NCAA tournament with a reputation of playing great defense. They did not disappoint.
By limiting New Mexico State to 27.9 percent shooting from field and forcing 16 turnovers, the fourth-seeded Billikens defeated the 13th-seeded Aggies 64-44 today at the HP Pavilion.
The Billikens, winners of the Atlantic 10 Tournament, got 24 points from junior forward Dwayne Evans, but it was the pressure defense that smothered the Aggies.
“We just got beat by a better team,” NMSU coach Marvin Menzies said. “It just wasn’t meant to be. It was like Rick was at the top of the basket and slapping the ball away.”
Menzies was referring to the former St. Louis coach Rick Majerus, who died of heart of failure last December. Majerus, who coached five seasons in St. Louis, had taken a leave of absence before the season began. His emphasis on defense was visible against the Aggies, who struggled for open shots. They made just 8 of 31 from the field in the first half and only 9 of 30 in the second half.
The Aggies (24-11) made a brief run early in the second half whittling their 13-point halftime deficit down to 37-31 with 13:53 left in the game. But the Billikens tightened up their defense and sharpened their offensive execution and outscored NMSU 12-3 to regain control of the game.
“I think our ball movement in the end got the best of them,” said senior forward Cody Ellis, who added 12 points.
Bandja Sy, senior forward, had 17 points for the Aggies, winners of the WAC Tournament. The Billikens (28-6) have reached the third round of the NCAA tournament for the second straight year, having defeated Memphis in their opening game last year. St. Louis will play the winner between fifth-seed Oklahoma State and 12th-seeded Oregon on Saturday.